Report boosts defense of Santa Rosa mother in bullying case

In Sonoma County, a report from a private investigator is boosting the defense in the case of a Santa Rosa mother accused of grabbing a boy she claimed bullied her daughter.

It's not so much a matter of reading between the lines, as between the blacked out names. A report, obtained by ABC7 News, shows the contents of a private investigation, funded by the lawyer defending Delia Garcia-Bratcher.

She is the Santa Rosa mother of six who is awaiting charges for going onto the campus of Olivet Elementary School and allegedly choking a 12-year-old boy who she says had been bullying her daughter.

Adams cites three witnesses in his report: two kids and a school aid, who say Bratcher confronted the boy, but never touched him. One of the children interviewed said that the boy choked himself and then blamed Bratcher to get even.

"Well the kid was very specific and saw it and how it was done. Apparently he put his hands up like this and choked himself and he described very specifically that to my investigator," Adams said.

That independent investigation reports that sheriff's deputies heard the same stories, but chose to arrest Bratcher anyway. There was no comment from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

The District Attorney's Office issued a statement that reads in part: "We are endeavoring to ensure the integrity of the investigation while it is pending and under review, therefore we will not comment further on the particulars of any evidence."

"Well it is terrible for her. She is unbelievably stressed out and this is a financial hardship as well as an emotional hardship," Adams said.

Bratcher will return to court on June 19 to hear the charges against her.